Young driver crashes into Ada County deputy vehicle on Interstate 84

Published at 12:56 pm, December 17, 2017

BOISE – Two Ada County Sheriff’s deputies escaped serious injury Saturday morning when a young driver crashed into one of the agency’s patrol Tahoes on the side of Interstate 84.

The deputies were pulled over on the median side of westbound Interstate 84, just east of Blacks Creek Road with emergency lights on and flares on the road, while investigating a rollover crash that happened earlier in the morning.

Initial reports indicate 21-year-old Dustin M. Peters was driving westbound on I-84 just after 5 a.m. and did not slow down or move over into the right hand lane — but instead stayed in the left lane, lost control, and smashed into the back of the ACSO Tahoe.

“One of our deputies was in the Tahoe’s driver’s seat and another was standing outside, talking to the other deputy through an open window, when the crash occurred,” a press release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Both deputies saw what was about to happen, so the one standing outside dove out of the way while the other braced for impact.”

The car smashed into the rear driver’s side of the Tahoe, rolled over, and came to rest about 20 feet next to the wreckage of the car involved in the crash the deputies were sent to investigate about an hour before.

Both vehicles sustained heavy damage.

Courtesy KIVI

The deputies were checked out for injuries at the scene and were later taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

Paramedics treated the driver of the car, 21-year-old Dustin M. Peters, at the scene. He was not taken to the hospital.

Peters was cited for reckless driving in connection with the crash.

“It’s fortunate our deputies managed to avoid serious injury — and a tribute to their ability to pay close attention to their surroundings at all times,” the press release stated. “Crashes like this are why we ask drivers to slow down and move over when law enforcement vehicles are stopped on the side of any road — especially during slippery winter driving conditions.”

Snow began falling in the Treasure Valley just before 9 p.m. Friday night and dropped about a ½ inch of snow on the ground by midnight, creating slippery driving conditions for the first time this winter. By 11 a.m. Saturday, dispatchers took reports on 25 crashes (3 with injuries) and 10 slide-offs in Ada County.